Inverse Relations and Functions

Relations and their Inverses

Inverses are found by interchanging the coordinates of each ordered pair in the
relation. The rule of the inverse can be found by swapping the 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the
equation. This can also be seen as a reflection in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

It is important that you do not proceed directly from 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑦). This is not correct working.
You need to indicate that new working is starting. This can be as simple as stating that "for inverse, swap 𝑥
and 𝑦" and then "make 𝑦 the subject". Then make the connection that "𝑦 is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥)".

Do not write 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑦), this is not correct notation.

Example VCAA 2002 Exam 1 Question 7

The graph of the function 𝑔 with rule 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) is
shown below. The graph of the inverse function of
𝑔 is also shown. (A one-to-one scale has been used
on both graphs.)

Features of Graphs and their Inverses

Original Inverse Inverses can be used to solve equations involving
exponential, logarithmic, circular, and power functions.
(𝑥, 𝑦) (𝑦, 𝑥)
Domain Range Function Inverse
Horizontal Asymptote Vertical Asymptote 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑓 (𝑥) = log (𝑥)
𝑥>0 𝑦>0 𝑓(𝑥) = sin(𝑥) 𝑓 (𝑥) = sin (𝑥)
𝑥<0 𝑦<0 𝑓(𝑥) = cos(𝑥) 𝑓 (𝑥) = cos (𝑥)
Above 𝑦 = 𝑥 Below 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = tan(𝑥) 𝑓 (𝑥) = tan (𝑥)
𝑥-intercept 𝑦-intercept 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑓 (𝑥) = √⎯⎯
𝑥

Intersections of Graphs and their Inverses

The original graph and its inverse will intersect on the line 𝑦 = 𝑥. These intersections can be found by solving
any one of the following equations: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑥), 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥

Example VCAA 2017 NHT Exam 1 Question 8b

  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
The rule for a function 𝑓 is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = √2𝑥 + 3 − 1, where 𝑓 is defined on its maximal domain.
3
The maximal domain of 𝑓 is 2𝑥 + 3 ≥ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≥ − ⎯⎯.
2
  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Let 𝑦 = √2𝑥 + 3 − 1. For inverse swap 𝑥 and 𝑦 ⇒ 𝑥 =   2𝑦 + 3 − 1.
1 3 1 3
Make 𝑦 the subject 𝑦 = ⎯⎯(𝑥 + 1) − ⎯⎯. 𝑦 is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥). ∴ 𝑓 (𝑥) = ⎯⎯(𝑥 + 1) − ⎯⎯
2 2 2 2
The solutions of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑥) are also solutions of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 or 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥
1 3   ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 1 3
  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ √2𝑥 + 3 − 1 = 𝑥
√2𝑥 + 3 − 1 = ⎯⎯(𝑥 + 1) − ⎯⎯ ⎯⎯(𝑥 + 1) − ⎯⎯= 𝑥
2 2 2 2
  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
⇒ √2𝑥 + 3 = 𝑥 + 1
This will result in a quartic equation, ⇒ 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 − 3 = 2𝑥
better to avoid this equation as this is ⇒ 2𝑥 + 3 = (𝑥 + 1)
a CAS free exam.   ⎯⎯ 3
⇒ 𝑥 = 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = √2, 𝑥 ≥ − ⎯⎯
⇒ 2𝑥 + 3 = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 2
  ⎯⎯ 3
⇒ 𝑥 = 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = √2, 𝑥 ≥ − ⎯⎯
2
Inverse Functions
For 𝑓: 𝑑 → ℝ, where 𝑓(𝑥) = a function of 𝑥
𝑓 :𝑑 → ℝ, where 𝑓 (𝑥) = the inverse function of 𝑥

Be careful that you don't confuse the inverse 𝑓 with the derivative 𝑓 .

All functions have inverses but they are not all functions (but they are all relations).
For an inverse to be a function, the original function must be a one-to-one function.
Therefore, it must pass the horizontal and vertical line tests.
If it does not pass the horizontal line test, restrict the domain so that is becomes one-to-one.

Example VCAA 2005 Exam 1 Question 7

The function 𝑓: [𝑎, ∞) → 𝑅 with rule 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 3) + 1 will
have an inverse function if 𝑓 is a one-to-one function.

Since 𝑓 is a parabola, it will be a one-to-one function for a domain

left or right of the turning point. Since the domain is written as
[𝑎, ∞) the right side is needed.

The 𝑥-coordinate of the turning point is 𝑥 = 3.

Therefore, 𝑎 ≥ 3 as any value greater than 3 will also restrict the
domain so that 𝑓 is one-to-one.

Inverse Function vs Rule for the Inverse

The inverse function, 𝑓 , requires the rule and the domain to be specified. When the inverse function is
asked for, the domain must be given. If only the rule for the inverse function is asked for, the domain does
not have to be given. The definition of 𝑓 should provide a clue to the form of 𝑓 .

Example VCAA 2006 Sample Exam 1 Question 1a

For the function 𝑓: (−1, ∞) → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 log (𝑥 + 1), the rule of the inverse function 𝑓 is
Let 𝑦 = 2 log (𝑥 + 1) . For inverse swap 𝑥 and 𝑦 ⇒ 𝑥 = 2 log (𝑦 + 1) .
Make 𝑦 the subject 𝑦 = 𝑒 ⎯⎯− 1. 𝑦 is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥). ∴ 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑒 ⎯⎯− 1.

Example VCAA 2009 Exam 1 Question 3

3
Let 𝑓: 𝑅 ∖ {0} → 𝑅 where 𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯− 4 . The inverse function of 𝑓, 𝑓 , is
𝑥
3 3
Let 𝑦 = ⎯⎯− 4. For inverse swap 𝑥 and 𝑦 ⇒ 𝑥 = ⎯⎯− 4.
𝑥 𝑦
𝑥−4 𝑥−4
Make 𝑦 the subject 𝑦 = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯. 𝑦 is the inverse of 𝑓(𝑥). ∴ 𝑓 (𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯.
3 3

The range of 𝑓 is 𝑅 ∖ {−4}. The domain of 𝑓 is the range of 𝑓. ∴ 𝑑 = 𝑅 ∖ {−4}

𝑥−4
The inverse function of 𝑓 is 𝑓 : 𝑅 ∖ {−4} → 𝑅 where 𝑓 (𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯.
3

Composition of Inverse Functions

If you compose a function and its inverse it will always equal 𝑥, just check the new domain
𝑓 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑥∈𝑑 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑥∈𝑑